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County residents want CNA pleads to be rid of ‘puppy mills’ not guilty to adult abuse By Abigail Pelzer Newton Daily News
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Some area residents would like to see Cline’s Hilltop Kennel in Sully shut down after repeat USDA violations, and encourage Iowa legislators to create a state-oversight program that makes regulation more practical.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first story in a two-part series; a story about legislative efforts to regulate animal breeding will be published in Tuesday’s Newton Daily News. By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News SULLY — Driving down Highway F62E, past Cline’s Hilltop Kennel, newcomers would be hard-pressed to notice any place along the road at the center of so much discussion and controversy in recent years. However, not only is Cline’s Hilltop Kennels a facility that has had several documented U.S. Department of Agriculture violations over the past few years, but it’s also mentioned on some national websites. As a bill makes its way through the state legislature with an intent to give more local control over animal breeding, several area residents say they’d like to see the kennel shut down. Unfortunately, not only has the USDA already documented some violations without closing down the facility, it seems the agency, Iowa state laws and agency infrastructure are not set up to do much more regulation of dog breeding. Mary LaHay is the president of Iowa Voters for Companion Animals and one of Central Iowa’s most visible proponents of
state-level inspection authority. She said the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship could gain authority ahead of the USDA as a state overseer of animal breeding. “The USDA is overseeing this, and food safety is their priority, and rightly so,” LaHay said. “Animal regulations are at the bottom of the barrel.” LaHay said the problem is so bad in Iowa, government officials in other states have written letters to Iowa legislators, urging them to take action on the problem. Sen. Matt McCoy introduced SF 347 on March 2, bringing in some sweeping state-oversight reforms, but it has been stuck in a subcommittee since March 15. She said the USDA has the authority to network with local rescues and shelters to take animals away if there are confiscations. However, she said, that rarely seems to happen, and most violations do not seem to directly result in a breeder being shut down. “Local law enforcement doesn’t usually have the resources to enforce every single one of the animal-cruelty statutes,” she added. “Once I tell Iowans how bad the situation is here, they aren’t willing to put up with it.” Lisa Kuehl, a Madrid resident with several friends and associates in Jasper County, said that for an
animal as complex as a dog, even meeting the minimum USDA requirements doesn’t give animals the psychological and emotional aspects of development. She said activists must make real progress in getting more enforcement of physical-conditions requirements in order to address the more nuanced health and well-being issues. “Because it doesn’t have a direct impact on consumer well-being, it just doesn’t matter as much,” Kuehl said. “If everyone ate the puppies, it would be different.” Conni Beck said she went with a friend in 2009 to buy a dog from Cline’s. “After I went there, I knew something had to be done,” Beck said. “But until I met some of these ladies, I didn’t know what to do. Now, I’m learning more about what action we can take.” Paula Arkema is a strong supporter of the Jasper County Animal Rescue League’s efforts. Like Kuehl, she also said taking in an animal that appears to have been abused early in life has been an awakening. “We have a family member now that doesn’t have a voice of her own,” Arkema said. Nancy Henderson said the majority of the public is unaware of puppy-mill issues. PUPPY MILLS | 3A
A Newton woman accused of abusing an adult woman under her care at a local nursing home has pleaded not guilty to dependent adult abuse. Jacki L. Owens, 33, entered the plea on the serious misdemeanor charge and waived her right to a speedy trial last week. Owens was working as a CNA at Newton Health Care Center last August when police say she shoved the victim into a bed rail and grabbed her arm and leg. The victim sustained bruises on the evening of Aug. 27 and into Aug. 28., according to a police report. The victim also complained she was propped up on her side and left in that position, which is painful to her due to a history of fractures. The victim said she did not say anything that night because she was afraid Owens would come back, according to the
Jamee A. Pierson/DailyNews Backflow Sytems Solutions Incorporated was approved by the Newton Water Board as the company to move forward with the backflow prevention program at the Friday meeting.
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Alex Olp/Daily News Bikers take off from PJ’s Deli during Saturday’s 28th annual Chill-I Ride. The event’s proceeds went to the maintenance of Chichaqua Valley trail.
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The Newton Water Board approved moving forward with a backflow prevention program, utilizing Backflow Systems Solutions Incorporated to implement the program during its March meeting Friday. The company, based out of Illinois, will work for the city to check commercial or residential buildings on the backflow systems that are in place to see if it is up to code or potentially needed. “The backflow prevention program is required in cities of 15,000 and is under the Department of Health.
It requires that any business that may have a potential of high-hazard backflow into our public water supply has to have a containment device installed on their water service line going into the building. The backflow preventer keeps contamination from going back into the public water supply. If they have a sprinkler line they have to have a double check valve,” Board Member L. D. Palmer said. Currently, the city has about 200 devices in place that it has records on. Palmer said he believes the city could have 700 total accounts that WATER | 3A
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Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com
Backflow prevention program moving forward
Annual Chill-I Ride
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report. Heidi Ramaeker Pearson, community liaison director at Newton Health Care Center, said Owens was immediately suspended when the abuse allegation was brought forward. Further, the director of nursing promptly reported the incident to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which began an investigation. Once the investigation concluded, Owens was terminated based on the findings, she said. Newton Police charged Owens on March 3. “At Newton Health Care Center, our most important responsibility is to care for our residents and keep them safe,” Pearson said. “It is a privilege to care for our residents, and we understand the trust families place in our staff to meet residents’ needs.” A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 27.
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
A valuable experience
Silverado Jewelry care for customers / 2A
Volume No. 113 No. 220 2 sections 16 pages
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